It is going to be a season full of thanks, wonderful memories, and hopefully a very happy ending for New York Rangers Hall of Fame Announcer Sam Rosen.
Back in mid-August, Rosen announced that he would be stepping away from the mic after 40 seasons with the Blueshirts. In that time, he has been one of the best announcers in all of hockey in addition to being someone who bleeds the red, white, and blue colors of the Rangers.
It appears that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman feels the same way. Bettman announced on Wednesday, October 9 that Rosen is the 2024 recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy for his “outstanding service to hockey in the United States” and that he will be formally honored as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration taking place on December 4.
Per the NHL, the Lester Patrick Trophy is “an annual award that is one of the most prestigious in hockey, and that was presented to the National Hockey League by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the memory of Lester Patrick, who spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach, and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport’s development”.
Rosen is certainly deserving of this award as he is one of the most recognized voices of hockey in the United States. Not only does he call Rangers games for MSG Networks, but he has called NHL games for Fox Sports, NHL Radio, and ESPN.
With that said, it is his work with the Rangers that will stand the test of him. Ranger fans will remember iconic calls such as “It’s a power play goal!” and “The waiting is over, the New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup champions, and this one will last a lifetime!” for the rest of their lives.
When it comes to Rosen, Bettman alluded to the fact that Rosen is embedded in the fabric of the Rangers and is a broadcaster who knows how to share and spread the excitement of hockey.
“After four decades, Sam Rosen’s golden pipes, dedication to his craft and unabashed passion for our game as the television voice of the New York Rangers still resonate,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “When Sam is doing play-by-play, he not only keeps viewers abreast of the game and its surrounding stories, he uniquely sweeps up his audience in the unmatched excitement of hockey. Few fans can remember a time when Sam Rosen was not the voice of New York Rangers hockey. As fine a man as he is a broadcaster, and for a career spent in remarkable service to the game in the United States, Sam Rosen is a worthy recipient of the 2024 Lester Patrick Trophy.”
This award is just a part of what is shaping up to be a very magical last season for Rosen. Hopefully, for Rosen and the Rangers, it is not the only trophy he will be a part of or around when all is said and done.
